Colombo Packages - About City:

The 'Garden City of West' is also the Capital of Sri Lanka, and it is a perfect travel destination because of its colonial history, golden beaches, stirring mountains, picturesque scenery, temples, and markets. Colombo depicts the exquisite fusion of ancient mansions and modern architecture of markets, malls, beachfront, and admirable dining restaurants. Although discovering hidden gems in Colombo is worthwhile, one can also explore some tourist spots like Lakeside, Ganaramaya Temple, Independence Square, souvenir scouts in malls, and more. Ensure not to forget to try the local spicy cuisine and street food while you can enjoy a day trip tour of some UNESCO-listed destinations like Kandy, Galle, and Sigiriya Rock. 

Places to visit in Colombo:

The port city of Colombo is not limited to its rich colonial heritage or history. Still, it offers more, such as mesmerizing golden sandy beaches, stunning temples, vibrant culture, and more. Despite that, it is the perfect destination for foodies as you cannot miss exploring the markets to taste the delicious dishes made using local herbs and spices. Along with several tourist attractions, the city has the world's largest harbors and handles most foreign trade; therefore, the city has been ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. If you are also planning to visit Colombo in the upcoming holiday season to celebrate New Year or Christmas with family or a loving partner, then look at further information to discover the best places to explore during the trip.

1. Ganagaramaya Temple: 

This is one of the most prominent temples of Colombo, which illustrates the amalgamation of modern architecture and cultural essence. The ancient temple, located on Beira Lake, was completed in the late 19th century and started by the famous scholar monk Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera. Travelers can visit the temple before 10 p.m. The temple also has training centers, museums, and more.

2. National Museum of Colombo:

The Museum, also known as the Sri Lanka National Museum, was founded in 1877. It is the only site that depicts natural history and natural heritage. Therefore, travelers can visit the Museum between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. The Museum is home to thousands of artcrafts, statues, and heritage royal objects like thrones and crowns; these attract hundreds of travelers every year to explore the vast collection of treasures.

3. Galle Face Green:

Galle Face Green is Colombo's largest 5 ha 12-acre ocean-side urban park in the heart of Sri Lanka. It stretches for about 500 m 1600 ft along the southern coastline. The park is accessible to tourists and locals, and the Gale Face beach surrounds the other side of the stretch. It is one of the best weekend spots for children and families to spend quality time.

4. Viharamahadevi Park:

The widespread public Viharamahadevi Park is located in the Cinnamon garden center of Colombo in front of a colonial-era town hall. Though the park is free to enter for tourists and local visitors, the British Colonial built its administration. Formerly, the place was named 'Victoria Park' in the name of Queen Victoria, but on July 18, 1958, the park was renamed Viharamahadevi Park in the name of Queen Viharamahadevi, the mother of King Dutugamunu. 

5. kapikawatha Shiva Temple:

Kapikawatha is one of the ancient Hindu temples of Colombo, built in 1738. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is engraved with traditional architecture, stone sculptures, and carvings. Before visiting the temple, visitors should remember that there is no entry fee, and photography is prohibited.

6. Fort Area:

Fort Colombo is the central business district, connecting shops, banks, old hotels, cafes, and offices. It is also peppered with colonial-era Political buildings. Here, tourists can simultaneously expect street markets, boutique shops, eateries, parks, and hotels. Tourists can stroll in the Fort Area 24 hours a day. 

Best Time to visit Colombo:

Generally, tourists can visit Colombo any month of the year, but the best time to explore the city is between December and March when the weather is pleasant, warm, and dry. These are the ideal months to experience tourist attractions and taste local cuisine. To know the peak season and off-season, look at the information below.

• Peak Season: December to March has pleasant and warm weather, which makes it ideal for local sightseeing. However, because it is considered the peak season, you can expect expensive flight fares because of huge demand.
• Off-Season: During the off-season in Colombo, travelers have fewer chances to explore tourist spots due to heavy rainfall. However, you can quickly discover the best flight and hotel deals due to fewer crowds. The monsoon remains in Colombo from November to December. 

Activities to do in Colombo:

Colombo, Sri Lanka's Capital with a rich colonial heritage, is packed with lush green gardens, fine dining restaurants, shopping malls, expensive designer brands, and street markets. Despite the best places to visit, Colombo also offers numerous fun activities to make the trip unforgettable, such as a tuk-tuk ride, a visit to Petteh market, playing a round of golf, a vibrant nightlife experience, and more. Check the information below to learn which activity can enhance your traveling experience.

• Enjoy a day city tour—To make the trip more fun, book the double-decker Colombo city tour to witness the mesmerizing beauty of the port city. Tourists can also book open-deck city tours through Sri Lanka Tourism and Ebert Silva Holidays.
• Play a round of Golf - If you love to play golf, then you should not miss out on a golf round at the Royal Colombo Golf Club, which is perfect for sitting and best for all golfers of mixed abilities. The club provide option of playing either 9 or 18 holes.
• Taste seafood at Beachside—Mt Lavinia Beach of Colombo is filled with great seafood restaurants, so make sure to try the best seafood at Golden Beach.
• Explore artwork—Colombo has plenty of Museums filled with huge collections of ancient paintings, sculptures, and sketches from the 4th century BC. Otherwise, if you wish to see contemporary artwork, visit local galleries. 

FAQs

Which is the best month to visit Colombo?

If you wish to experience ideal weather conditions, then make sure to plan a trip to Colombo between December and March.

What is the Colombo Airport's name?

Sri Lanka's main international airport is Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, which is 32 km from the northern capital.

What are the best places to visit in Colombo?

Travelers are recommended to visit Gangaramaya Temple, the National Museum of Colombo, Galle Face Green, Kapikawatha Temple, Fort Area, Viharamahadevi Park, and more.

Which airline serves flights to/from Colombo?

Multiple airlines serve flights to/from Colombo Airport, offering both connecting and direct flights, such as Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Gulf Air, Turkish Airlines, Vistara, Air India, and Sri Lankan Airlines.

Do I need a passport to travel to Colombo?

Yes, travelers need a passport to fly to Colombo. Ensure that the passport is valid for at least six months after the arrival date in Sri Lanka. In addition, passengers should also meet other travel requirements, such as a confirmed ticket, a valid Visa, a complete disembarkation card, and more.

What delicacies are popular in Colombo?

Generally, there are several popular delicacies in Colomba that perfectly satisfy everyone's appetizer, among which some of the must-try local dishes of Colombo are Curries, Idiyappam, Lamparis, Fish ambul thiyal, Appam or Sri Lankan Hoppers, kottu roti, Watalappan, Pol sambol, and more.